Loading and discharging hopper.



. TINIGHOLSON' PATENTE JAN LOADING AND DISOHARGING HOPPER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 11, 1902. H0 MODEL. 3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

u w I dbl.

Mums A No. 718 862. PATENTED JAN. 20 1903. T. 111011013011.

LOADING AND DISGHARGING HOPPER.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 11, 1902. 110 11011111..

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Mar W w: Nonms P212115 co. morauma. wnsmmzwu. u. c.

No. 718,862. PATENTED JAN. 20 1903. T. NICHOLSON.

LOADINGAND DISOHARGI'NG HOPPER.

LI 1 2. o MO APP OA'I'ION TILED AUG 1, 190 3 BHEBT 3.

W 131 52 13 E fl flm fimt "m: nonms PETERS co. nuowouma, WAsnmuTON. 0. c4

llniiricn Strains ATENT OFFICE.

THOMAS NICHOLSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

LOAlNG AND DISCHARGING HOPPER.

SJEECIEIGATIQN forming part of Letters Patent No. 718,862, dated January 20, 1903. Application filed August 11,1902. Serial No. 119,289- (No model.)

To (tZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that Llnonns NICHOLSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Loading and Discharging Hoppers, of which the following is a specification.

The object of thisinventionis to construct a strong and at the same time easily-operated and thoroughly-reliable hopper and to so mount and locate the same that wagons or other vehicles can be hauled directly beneath the hopper for the purpose of loading. Moreover, it is desirable that the machinery for discharging the hopper be of such simple construction that it may be easily operated by a single man and that the danger of its being impaired by moisture or other natural agencies will be reduced to a minimum, hence the desirability of making the hopper of as simple construction as possible under the circumstances.

The hopper of this invention may be used in all cases where dirt or other material is to be loaded into vehicles stationed beneath, and the hopper of the invention may also be used for the purpose of discharging material of any nature.

The invention consists in the features of construction and combination of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the hopper mounted as in use; Fig. 2, an end elevation with the operating-crank removed; Fig. 3, a top or plan view of Fig. 1; Fig. 4, a top or plan View of the hopper, showing the superstructure removed and portions of the framework broken away; Fig. 5, a cross-sectional view of the hopper and superstructure, and Fig. 6 a longitudinal sectional view of the hopper.

The hopper of this invention is supported on four uprights A, suitably spaced for the passage between them of a wagon or other vehicle. These uprights are supported by diagonal braces extending longitudinally of the hopper, and each pair of diagonal braces connecting the uprights located on the same side of the hopper. Extending transversely across the tops of the uprights are two cross-sills A, upon which the lower rails of the framework of the hopper rest. Extending transversely of the cross-sills are lower rails B, forming the foundation timber supports of the framework of the hopper. Rising from the lower rails are the upright spacing-timbers 1), four in number, and forming the corner-supports of the hopper. Located upon the upright spacing-timbers are two upper rails B, parallel to and preferably of smaller size than the lower rails beneath them. Between the upper and lower rails and within the space bounded by the upright spacing-timbers are diagonal ties B converging together and forming,in combination with a tie-rod b which extends downwardly through the lower rail, a truss for the purpose of strengthening the lower rails to withstand the pressure exerted upon them when the hopper is full. Between the lower rails atthe ends of the hopper are the lower transverse spacing-t-imbers b, and between the upper rails are located the upper transverse spacing-timbers 5 forming, with the lower transverse spacing timbers, abutments 0r supports for the end walls of the hopper.

The hopper is composed of side walls O, nailed or otherwise secured to the inner faces of the longitudinally-extending upper and lower rails, and end walls O, preferably of a greater height than the side walls, nailed or otherwise secured to the upper and lower transverse spacing-timbers of the supportingframework.

Below the bottom of the hopper are located hinged doors D, two in number, adapted to swing downwardly from the hopper when the latter is discharged. These doors, which are of a size to leave 'a small space at between their edges and the inner edges of the walls of the hopper for a purpose hereinafter explained, are supported by bars D, three in number, as shown, although the number is immaterial, and located, as shown, at the center and near the two ends of the respective doors. These bars have formed in their outer ends sleeves or collars d in alinement with eyes d and inserted into and depending from the lower rails of the framework. Pivot-pins (Z extend through the eyes and the sleeves in alinement therewith and pivot the doors and allow them to swing back when open, so as to form, in effect, a chute or guideway to facilitate the discharge of material from the hopper into the vehicle stationed thereunder. The doors are secured to the bars by means of bolts E and e, the former of which are provided with inwardly-extending eyes 8 for attachment thereto of the cables supporting and operating the doors when in use. All of the bolts are provided, as shown, with washers and nuts 6 on their outer ends in the usual manner.

The framework'of the hopper is reinforced by means of cross-ties F, secured to the upright spacing-timbers, and the hopper as a whole is rigidly secured in place on the cross-- timbers A by means of downwardly-extending diagonal exterior braces F and interior braces F extending from the upper rails of the hopper-framework to the outer and inner faces of the uprights A. The framework is further reinforced by means of tie-rodsf and f, extending transversely through the upper and lower rails, respectively, exterior of the end walls of the hopper. These tie-rods are provided on their ends with washers f and nuts f in the usual manner.

Located upon the upper rails of the hopperframework are three pairs of gear-supporting uprights G, across which are laid the gearsupporting blocks G, secured to which are journal-boxes g, formed in the usual manner. Exterior of the gear-supporting uprights at one end is a platform H, supported on the ends of the upper rails, and upon this platform is mounted apinion-supporting upright H, upon which in turn is mounted a pinionsupporting block 1-1 to which is secured a journal-box hin alinement with a journalbox it on the end journal-block contiguous therewith, as shown in Fig. 3.

A continuous shaft I rotates within the journal-boxes above the upper 'or open side of the hopper and carries thereon a series of drums 1, three in number, as shown, which are fixedly secured to the shaft. Each of the drums is provided with end wallsi in the usual manner. Carried by the drums are cables J and J, one pair of cables for each drum, which cables connect with the eyes 6, supporting and operating the doors of the hopper. Each pair of cables has its endsj carried through and secured in the end Walls 11 of the drum around which the cables are coiled. Each pair of cables is then wound around the drum sufficiently so that when the door is down there will still remain a coil of cable around the drum, and after leaving the drum the cables are carried downward and through the eyes of the respective doors, thereby enabling the two doors to be simultaneously operated by the unwinding of the cables of the drums. Fixedly attached to one end of the shaft is a gear-wheel K, into which mesh the teeth of a pinion K, which is supported on a shaft k, operating within the journal-boxes h and h. This shaft has its exterior end squared for the reception 'thereon of a crank and between the pinion and gear-Wheel is a chock as shown in Fig. 3.

In use the drums are wound until the hinged doors are flush with the bottom of the hopper and the material-clay, dirt, or gravel, dvc-is deposited in the hopper. A Wagon or other vehicle is then hauled between the upright supports on which the hopper rests and the drums are unwound simultaneously by the weight of the material pressing down upon the doors. Too-sudden discharge of the material, however, is prevented by the action of the crank in the hands of the operator. As the doors are lowered they assume a position parallel to the sides of the hopper, as shown in Fig. 6, forming, in effect, chutes, guideways, or dashboards, thereby facilitating the discharge of the material and preventing its escape. The cables being of small diameter do not in any way interfere with the discharge of material, which readily slides down around the cable. After the material has been discharged the crank is revolved by the operator, which imparts motion to the shaft through the pinion and gear-wheel and winds up all of the cables simultaneously on their respective drums, thereby again raising the doors and closing the hopper. The doors are of a size to leave a small space between their edges and walls of the hopper, which arrangement allows clay or other sediment which may adhere to the doors to be easily squeezed or forced out through the interstices or spaces without in any way hindering the closing of the doors.

This apparatus is peculiarly fitted for use in excavations for foundations or otherwise in which clay forms the principal material handled, since the consistency of clay prevents its escape through the spaces around the doors, While at the same time any of the clay which may adhere thereto is readily squeezed out by the pressure exerted in raising the doors. Other material, however, may be handled without in any way changing the character of the invention. It is plain, moreover, that several hoppers constructed as above described may be placed in alinement and operated by a single shaft, if so desired, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

This invention is peculiarly adapted for use with deep excavations for cellars, 850., since the material from the excavation may be hoisted from a great depth and delivered into the hopper for loading at a single operation.

What Iregard as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a device of the class described, the combination of a hopper mounted to allow a receptacle to be placed thereunder, a door hinged to the bottom of the hopper and of a size to leave spaces between its edges and the inner walls of the hopper, a cable supporting the door, and a drum adapted to have the cable wound thereon,substantially as described.

2. In a device of the class described, the

ITO

combination of a hopper having an open bottom, and suitably mounted to allow the placing of a receptacle thereunder, a downwardlyopening door hinged at one side of the hopper, of a size to leave a space between its edge and theinner wallof the hopper, a shaft having thereon a series of drums simultaneously operated, a series of cables adapted to be simultaneously wound on the drums and support the door of'the hopper, substantially as described.

3. In a device of the class described, the combination of a hopper suitablymounted to allow the placing of a receptacle thereunder, double doors hinged to open downwardly from the sides of the hopper, of a size to leave spaces between their edges and the inner walls of the hopper, a shaft revolubly mounted above the hopper, drums on the shaft, cables wound upon the drums and connected with the doors for supporting and operating the same, and means for imparting rotation to the shaft to revolve the drums and wind and unwind the cables carried thereby, substantially as described.

4. In a device of the class described, the combination of a hopper-frame consisting of lower rails and upper rails held in fixed relation to each other, uprights supporting the lower rails of the hopper-fram e, a hopper having side walls and end walls Within the rails forming the hopper-frame, a shaft revolubly mounted above the hopper and carried by supports extending upwardly from the upper rails of the hopper-frame, a series of drums on the shaft, a series of cables two cables to each drum carried by the drums and connected with the hinged doors below the hopper, and means for rotating the shaft to operate the drums and cables simultaneously, substantially as described.

5. In a device of the class described, the combination of a hopper-frame consisting of lower rails and upper rails, a trusswork or span between the rails on each side, upright spacing-timbers between the rails, transverse spacing-timbers between the rails, cross-ties upon which the framework rests, vertical supports for the cross-ties, a hopper having side walls secured to the inner faces of the rails, and end walls secured to the inner faces of the transverse spacing timbers, downwardly opening doors supported on transverse bars pivoted at their ends to the lower rails of the hopper-frame, a shaft revolubly mounted above the hopper, drums on the shaft, cables carried by the drums and secured to the doors,-and means for rotating the shaft, substantially as described.

6. In a device of the class described, the combination of a hopper-frame consisting of lower rails and upper rails a trusswork or span between the rails on each side, upright spacing-timbers between the rails, transverse spacing-timbers between the rails, cross-ties upon which the framework rests, vertical supports for the cross-ties, a hopper having side walls secured to the inner faces of the rails, and end walls secured to the inner faces of the transverse spacing timbers, downwardly-opening doors supported on transverse bars pivoted at their ends to the lower rails of the hopper-frame, journal-supporting uprights carried by the upper rails, journalbearings supported by the uprights, a shaft rotatably mounted within the journal-bearings, drums on the shaft one drum for each of the transverse bars, cables carried around the drums and connected with the transverse bars, and gear-Wheels for operating the shaft, substantially as described.

7. In a device of the class described, the combination of a hopper-frame consisting of upper and lower side rails having spacinguprights between them, transverse spacingtimbers between the side rails, uprights mounting, the hopper-frame, a hopper Within the frame, downwardly-opening doors provided with hinges attached to the lower rails of the hopper-frame the doors being of a size to leave spaces between their edges and the inner walls of the hopper, a shaft rotatably mounted above the hopper, drums on the shaft, each drum carrying two cables, one cable connected to each of the doors, and means for rotating the shaft to wind and unwind the cables on the drums simultaneously, substantially as described.

THOMAS NICHOLSON.

Witnesses:

OSCAR W. BOND, WALKER BANNING. 

